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Restoration Ecology: Ecosystems, Biodiversity Preservation, Ecological Problems And Society For Ecological Restoration
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Published: November 19, 2007
Most of the issues facing society today affect the environment in various ways. Because of these issues, ecosystems are being destroyed on a daily basis and the environment is suffering. Restoration ecology is a study that has been around for the past 25 years with the sole purpose of restoring ecosystems back to their healthy state.
The theory of restoration ecology refers to the refurbishing of damaged or ruined ecosystems with human intervention.
According to the Society for Ecological Restoration, the definition of restoration ecology is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed. It is important to note the term, “assisting,” within the definition. When practicing the theory of restoration ecology, a participant simply jump-starts the ecosystem back to its normal ranges. Then, it is up to the ecosystem and its components to continue survival without the constant assistance from humans.
Ecosystems consist of two parts: the living organisms and the nonliving surroundings. The living organisms include plants, trees, animals and microorganisms. Nonliving surroundings contain soil, rocks and various minerals. Both of these parts make up the biodiversity of each ecosystem and are needed in order for the ecosystem to function normally. Biodiversity preservation is one of the most important concepts of the restoration ecology theory since a large part of its success solely depends on the equal balance of the two parts. Within restoration ecology, biodiversity preservation is a necessity and an ecosystem cannot be fully restored without it.
Everyone can practice restoration ecology, as long as they have a care for saving the environment. The size of ecosystems can vary, from a forest preserve to a backyard, and each one is important to the health of the environment. Successfully restoring an ecosystem could take months and even years to complete. When participants restore an ecosystem, they typically have to add new soil, plant new greenery, and make homes for a variety of microorganisms and animals. The Society for Ecological Restoration has a list of nine points that deem an ecosystem restored. All nine of these attributes enforce that within a fully restored ecosystem, biodiversity has been achieved and it can now function normally on its own, without any human intervention.
The Society for Ecological Restoration was founded in 1988 and currently has over 2,300 members who practice restoration ecology on a daily basis. These members, from scientists to laymen, have conferences throughout each year to find ways in advancing the ecological restoration process and find ecosystems in desperate need of restoration. In addition to the SER, many universities across the United States offer students specialization programs in restoration ecology due to its latest significance in society.
Throughout the years, restoration ecology has become more important to society due to the rise in ecological problems. The world is now facing serious issues such as global warming, species extinction and deforestation. All of these ecological problems, in addition to many more, affect and degrade the ecosystems. With more people learning and practicing restoration ecology everyday, the environment can begin to repair itself and the world can slowly become a healthier place.
Sources:
"Biodiversity." Wikipedia. 19 Oct. 2007. 19 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversity#Definiti ons.
Dewitt, Calvin B. "The Most Pressing Ecological Problem We Are Facing Today." Christian Environmental Studies Center. 19 Oct. 2007. http://cesc.montreat.edu/papers/action/Consumption _Of_Land1.htm.
"Restoration Ecology." 17 Oct. 2007. Wikipedia. 19 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restoration_ecology.< br />
"Society for Ecological Restoration." SER. 19 Oct. 2007. http://www.ser.org/about.asp.
"The SER International Primer on Restoration Ecology." SER. 17 Nov. 2007. http://www.ser.org/content/ecological_restoration_ primer.asp#3.
The theory of restoration ecology refers to the refurbishing of damaged or ruined ecosystems with human intervention.
Related Articles
Ecosystems consist of two parts: the living organisms and the nonliving surroundings. The living organisms include plants, trees, animals and microorganisms. Nonliving surroundings contain soil, rocks and various minerals. Both of these parts make up the biodiversity of each ecosystem and are needed in order for the ecosystem to function normally. Biodiversity preservation is one of the most important concepts of the restoration ecology theory since a large part of its success solely depends on the equal balance of the two parts. Within restoration ecology, biodiversity preservation is a necessity and an ecosystem cannot be fully restored without it.
Everyone can practice restoration ecology, as long as they have a care for saving the environment. The size of ecosystems can vary, from a forest preserve to a backyard, and each one is important to the health of the environment. Successfully restoring an ecosystem could take months and even years to complete. When participants restore an ecosystem, they typically have to add new soil, plant new greenery, and make homes for a variety of microorganisms and animals. The Society for Ecological Restoration has a list of nine points that deem an ecosystem restored. All nine of these attributes enforce that within a fully restored ecosystem, biodiversity has been achieved and it can now function normally on its own, without any human intervention.
The Society for Ecological Restoration was founded in 1988 and currently has over 2,300 members who practice restoration ecology on a daily basis. These members, from scientists to laymen, have conferences throughout each year to find ways in advancing the ecological restoration process and find ecosystems in desperate need of restoration. In addition to the SER, many universities across the United States offer students specialization programs in restoration ecology due to its latest significance in society.
Throughout the years, restoration ecology has become more important to society due to the rise in ecological problems. The world is now facing serious issues such as global warming, species extinction and deforestation. All of these ecological problems, in addition to many more, affect and degrade the ecosystems. With more people learning and practicing restoration ecology everyday, the environment can begin to repair itself and the world can slowly become a healthier place.
Sources:
"Biodiversity." Wikipedia. 19 Oct. 2007. 19 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodiversity#Definiti ons.
Dewitt, Calvin B. "The Most Pressing Ecological Problem We Are Facing Today." Christian Environmental Studies Center. 19 Oct. 2007. http://cesc.montreat.edu/papers/action/Consumption _Of_Land1.htm.
"Restoration Ecology." 17 Oct. 2007. Wikipedia. 19 Oct. 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restoration_ecology.< br />
"Society for Ecological Restoration." SER. 19 Oct. 2007. http://www.ser.org/about.asp.
"The SER International Primer on Restoration Ecology." SER. 17 Nov. 2007. http://www.ser.org/content/ecological_restoration_ primer.asp#3.
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